Psilocybin alters visual contextual computations

Psilocybin changes how the brain processes visual context, altering perception of the Ebbinghaus illusion and reducing contextual modulation in cortical responses. A computational model links these perceptual and neural changes, suggesting that psychedelics may act by disrupting contextual computations throughout the brain.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Psilocybin alters perception and brain dynamics. Contextual computations are ubiquitous in the brain. Here, we investigate the effects of psilocybin using psychophysics, ultra-high field functional MRI, and computational modeling. We find that 1) psilocybin alters contextual perception in the Ebbinghaus illusion, 2) psilocybin alters contextual modulation in cortical responses to visual stimuli, and 3) we propose a computational model capable of capturing and linking these changes. Leveraging vision as a beachhead, our findings highlight the alteration of contextual computations as a potential general mechanism underlying psychedelic action. Teaser Psilocybin alters visual-contextual computations, a potential general computational mechanism for psychedelic effects in the human brain.